Dental testing device for heat sensitivity

ABSTRACT

A device for testing a heat sensitivity in teeth, a heated cushion for a dental device for testing a heat sensitivity, and a method for testing a tooth for a heat sensitivity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/611,396 filed on Nov. 3, 2009, which claims the benefit of priorityof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/198,249, filed on Nov. 3,2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a testing device and methodfor testing and identifying heat sensitivity in teeth.

BACKGROUND

A heat sensitivity in a tooth results in the most intense pain seen bythe dental profession. Current methods for diagnosing the tooth fromwhich the pain is emanating are primitive. Presently, a device does notexist for testing for a heat sensitivity in a single tooth. A patientdental history reporting a heat sensitivity in a tooth is important indiagnosing the health of the pulp tissue and the prognosis for recovery.While the patient can report such a sensitivity with relative accuracy,they are most often confused about the tooth in which the sensitivityexist. This confusion is related to how a person attempts to resolve theconfusion of dental pain. For instance, if the pain is due to pressureon a tooth, the patient can usually identify the tooth by repeatedtesting with pressure. If the pain is related to hot or cold, testinginvolves putting cold or hot liquids, or cold or hot food on the teeth.This testing modality involves a much less precise test than pressing ona single tooth.

Most, if not all of the teeth in a quadrant are subjected to the thermalchanges of the test. A patient feels the pain and, in many cases, thinksthey know which tooth it is related to, but clinical testingdemonstrates that they are incorrect much of the time. This confusion isrelated to neural anatomy and learning. Little space in the brain isallocated to sensory input from teeth, unlike hands which get a lot ofattention and “space” in the brain. From an early age, humans begin tolearn to locate where any sensation on their hand is originating from.The ability to visually perceive the area of the hand touching somethinghelps to correlate a sensation with an act. No such relationship existwith teeth.

However, the learning process is the same. Specifically, if a personexperiences a dental pain and associate it with a particular tooth yourbrain will not argue with you. The brain accepts it as a learningexperience. If a person experiences the pain again, their brain willidentify the tooth they told their brain was causing the pain. The morepain episodes the patient experiences the more reluctant they are tobelieve the pain could be coming from any other tooth.

A dentist can perform most of the sensitivity testing on single teeth,but a convenient, reliable, safe, method does not exist for testing fora heat sensitivity. Without a convenient, reliable, safe, method fortesting for heat sensitivity, the probability of treating the wrongtooth is increased. In particular, much of a dental diagnosis is thedentist's best guess after reviewing the test results. Samples of thesuspect tooth cannot be sent to a lab for analysis. That would injurethe tooth, irreparably. It is considered unwise for any dentist to treata heat sensitive tooth unless it can be identified to the patientprecisely. Especially, if the patients believes it to be a differenttooth. Therefore, a presumed safes action for the dentist may be to donothing until the tooth becomes sensitive to percussion or bitesensitivity, something more easily demonstrated to the patient. Thewaiting period usually results in a period of intense pain for thepatient; a pain which does not respond well to pain medication.

Therefore, what is needed is a convenient, safe, and reliable, testingdevice for testing for a heat sensitivity. While other devices have beensuggested to have potential utility in testing for a heat sensitivity inteeth, they have no utility in the limited space provided for dentaltreatment or they disadvantageously have a flat or a rounded metal tip,which cannot conform to the convex tooth surface. Another drawback isthat such devices produce a point contact with the convex tooth surface.Heat delivered in this manner must include massive amounts of heatenergy to the point contact (considerably in excess of a safe limit thatwill not cause damage to the enamel, dentin, and the soft tissue of thepulp) to engage the enamel and dentine to become the heat source fortesting the pulp tissue for a heat sensitivity. The heat emanating froma point source must be heated to much higher temperatures at the sourceto compensate for the small surface area conducting the heat.

Thus, in view of the above disadvantages, limits, and drawbacks, thepresent invention provides a convenient, reliable, and safe testingdevice for heat sensitivity in teeth. The device enables dentists andother professionals in the field of dentistry to have confidence inidentifying a single tooth responsible for a heat sensitivity, which isextremely painful, and treat the tooth most always resulting inimmediate relief to the patient.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a device for testing a heat sensitivityin teeth is disclosed. The testing device comprises: a base; and a tiphaving a cushion, wherein the cushion comprises a heating element, andwherein the cushion conforms to a contour of a tooth tested for a heatsensitivity.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a cushion for a dental device isdisclosed. The cushion comprise: a heating element; wherein the cushionis located on the tip or end of the dental testing device, wherein heatenergy is transferred from the cushion to a single tooth tested for aheat sensitivity.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method for testing a tooth fora heat sensitivity is disclosed. The method comprises: applying a dentaltesting device comprising a tip having a cushion to a tooth; heating thecushion; and transferring heat energy from the cushion to the tooth,wherein the cushion conforms to a contour of the tooth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the testing device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the testing device invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the tip (2) which may be removed for sterilization.

FIG. 4 illustrates the circuitry of the testing device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged cross section of the heated cushion (1)of the present invention, illustrating the position of the heatingelement (15) and a thermistor (16) abutting the heated cushion (1).

FIG. 6 illustrates how the grooves of the heated cushion (1) of thepresent invention allow the ridges of the cushion to deform into thespace provided by the grooves and contour to the surface of the tooth(21).

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged end view of the heated cushion (1) of thepresent invention showing the extension (18).

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of the base of the heated cushion(1) of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the tip of the testing device (2) of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a view of the tip of the testing device (2) of thepresent invention in which the heated cushion (1) can be seen, actualsize.

FIG. 11 illustrates the tip of the testing device (2) of the presentinvention with the heated cushion (1) enclosed; as it relates to anaveraged sized molar (21).

FIG. 12 illustrates the configuration of a heating element of the type(15) embedded in the heated cushion (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates the excess heat (shaded area) generated on thesurface enamel layer (22), dentin layer (23), and the pulp tissue (24)of the tooth (25).

FIG. 14 illustrates the heat (shaded area) generated by a heated cushion(1) of the present invention that will conform to the surface enamellayer (22) of the tooth (25).

FIG. 15 A illustrates an oblique view (26) of a heated cushion withoutgrooves and ridges.

FIG. 15 B shows an end view (27) of the same heated cushion.

FIG. 15 C shows a side view of the same heated cushion (2

FIG. 15 D illustrates how the design of the heated cushion would allowit to relate to incisor teeth (29).

FIG. 15 E illustrates how the design of the heated cushion would allowit to relate to canine teeth (30).

FIG. 15 F illustrates how the design of the heated cushion would allowit to relate to bicuspid teeth (31).

FIG. 15 G illustrates how the design of the heated cushion would allowit to relate to and molar teeth (32).

FIG. 16 illustrates the testing device of the present invention having adocking station (33) (illustrated in cross section).

FIG. 17 illustrates the testing device of the present invention restingin the docking station (33).

FIG. 18 illustrates the electrical circuitry for the testing device ofthe present invention utilizing a docking station (33).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure and the various features and advantageous detailsthereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limitingembodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings anddetailed in the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the testing device invention. The tip of thetesting device (2) may be removed from the handle (11) of the testingdevice for the purpose of sterilization of the entire tip. The pushbutton switch (9) turns the device on. A LED light (7) is energized toindicate that the testing device has been activated and that the heatingelement in the heated cushion located in the tip (2) above the base (52)is energized. A white LED light (4) is activated when the circuitcontaining a thermistor is energized and the circuit containing theheating element in the heated cushion is no longer energized. The whiteLED (4) also serves to illuminate the area being tested and aid in theproper placement of the heated cushion located in the tip (2). Ascrew-type cap (12) is located at the base of the testing device forease of loading batteries into the cylindrical handle to power thetesting device. An electrical jack (20) is located in the base for analternative energy source and/or to charge rechargeable batteries.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the testing device invention. Thelocation of the heated cushion (1) in the tip (2) of the testing deviceis angled for ease of use and visibility when positioning the cushion ona tooth. The metal contacts (3) at the base of the tip (2) have acomplimentary set of metal contacts (5) in the handle (11) of thetesting device. Two of the metal contacts (3) in the tip (2) of thetesting device are wired to the heating element in the heated cushion(1) in the tip (2) of the testing device. The other two metal contacts(3) are wired to a thermistor in contact with the heated cushion (1) inthe tip (2) of the testing device. Complimentary metal contacts in thehandle of the testing device (5) connect the circuits of the heatingelement in the heated cushion (1) and the thermistor to the positive,battery disk (8) and the push button switch (9), which is connected tothe metal handle (11) and when closed, will complete the circuit to thenegative end of the batteries (10) through the spring (13) in theend-cap (12) of the handle (11). A resistor (6) may be added to eitherthe circuit containing the heating element or the circuit containing thethermistor, to create a greater resistance in the circuit containing thethermistor at the time the switch is closed. An electrical receptacle(20) is located near the base of the testing device to allow an adapterconnected to an exterior electrical source to be jacked into the testingdevice to recharge the batteries (10) or energize the testing device.This heat limiting assembly is illustrated; others using a variety ofthermostat mechanisms may be used.

FIG. 3 shows the tip (2) which may be removed for sterilization. Themetal contacts (3) at the base of the tip (2) are wired to the heatingelement in the heated cushion and the thermistor in the tip of thetesting device. A raised key (17) at the base of the tip (2) insertsinto a slot in the handle of the testing device to align the metalcontacts (3) on the tip (2) with the proper metal contacts in thehandle.

FIG. 4 shows the circuitry of the testing device invention. One circuitcontains the heating element (15) in the heated cushion (1), a blue LEDlight (7) and possibly a resistor (6). A second circuit contains athermistor (16), a white LED light (4), and possibly a resistor (6).When the push button switch (9) is closed, electrical energy in thebattery source (10) flows through the circuit containing the heatingelement (15) in the heated cushion in the tip (2) of the testing deviceand the blue LED (7) is energized signaling to the user that the heatingelement (15) in the heated cushion is energized. As the heating element(15) heats the area of the heated cushion where the thermistor (16) islocated, the resistance in the thermistor (16) is reduced allowing thecircuit containing the thermistor (16) ,which is greater in resistanceto the circuit containing the heating element (15), to become activatedas the heat lowers the resistance in the thermistor (16) allowing thecircuit containing the thermistor (16) to become the path of leastresistance diverting electrical energy from the circuit containing theheating element (15) in the heated cushion and limiting the temperatureof the heated cushion and energizing the white LED light (4) signalingthat the testing device is ready to conduct the test. The lightingprovides safety by observing both LED lights, blue (7) and white (4). Ifboth lights are lit the testing device is malfunctioning. If the whiteLED light (4) is lit, there is no electrical energy in the heatingelement (15). The testing device should not be used if the blue LEDlight (7) is lit or the white light (4) and the blue light (7) are bothlit. The maximum temperature of the heated cushion (1) is determined bythe heat range of the thermistor (16) used. Thermistors are engineeredto loose resistance in a temperature range. A timing circuit (14) may beadded to the push button switch (9) to conserve power in the event theoperator of the testing device forgets to turn it off when he isfinished using it. An additional feature of the testing device is anelectrical jack (20) which may be added to the circuit to allow for atransformer to utilize household current to energize the testing deviceand/or recharge the batteries.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross section of the heated cushion (1)illustrating the position of the heating element (15) and a thermistor(16) abutting the heated cushion (1). The heated cushion (1) may beconstructed of a heat resistant silicon rubber, or any durable, heatresistant rubber. The heated cushion (1) has a design that allows rubberbetween grooves in the base of the cushion to deform and contour to theunique contours of different types of teeth, incisors, canines,premolars, and molars. As shown in FIG. 5, the left side of the heatedcushion (1) is a mirror image of the right side. This allows the cushionto be used on the right side of the mouth and the left side of the mouthor to test on the buccal side (the side of a tooth touching the lips orcheek) of a tooth or the lingual side (the side of a tooth touching thetongue) of a tooth. The area (A) in the heated cushion (1) allows anincisor edge or the cusp of a tooth to penetrate into the area of theheated cushion (1) allowing the extension (18) of the heated cushion toextend to, and contact the vertical side of the tooth to allow for heattransfer from the heated cushion (1) to the tooth on the vertical sideas well as the occlusal surface.

FIG. 6 shows how the grooves of the heated cushion (1) allow the ridgesof the cushion to deform into the space provided by the grooves andcontour to the surface of the tooth (21) placing the maximum surfacearea of the heated cushion on the surface of the tooth. A softer, morecompressible, less dense, may be used that would conform to the toothsurface without grooves and ridges.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged end view of the heated cushion (1) showing theextension (18).

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the base of the heated cushion (1). Thecushion is designed to extend down the vertical surface of a tooth withminimal, or no, contact with the tissue and has a depth that will limitthe coverage to a single tooth with no, or minimal contact with adjacentteeth. The heated cushion (1) is wide enough to accommodate the widermolars. The extensions (18) of the heated cushion (1) are illustrated ateither end of the heated cushion (1).

FIG. 9 shows the tip of the testing device (2).

FIG. 10 shows a view of the tip of the testing device (2) in which theheated cushion (1) is shown.

FIG. 11 shows the tip of the testing device (2) with the heated cushion(1) enclosed; as it relates to an averaged sized molar (21).

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a heating element of the type (15)embedded in the heated cushion (1).

FIG. 13 shows the excess heat (shaded area) generated on the surfaceenamel layer (22), dentin layer (23), and the pulp tissue (24) of thetooth (25) from a point source (19) to obtain sufficient heat, spreadingin a radial fashion, for a legitimate test of heat sensitivity in thepulp tissue (24).

FIG. 14 shows the advantage of heat (shaded area) generated by a heatedcushion (1) that will conform to the surface enamel layer (22) of thetooth (25) and heat a much greater surface area; transferring heatenergy in a uniform fashion that is limited to a level that does notdamage the enamel layer (22), the dentin layer (23), or the pulp tissue(24).

FIG. 15 A shows an oblique view (26) of a heated cushion without groovesand ridges. An end view (27) (FIG. 15 B) of the same heated cushion anda side view (FIG. 15 C) of the same heated cushion (28), alsoillustrated is how the design of the heated cushion would allow it torelate to incisor teeth (29) (FIG. 15 D), canine teeth (30) (FIG. 15 E),bicuspid teeth (31) (FIG. 15 F), and molar teeth (32) (FIG. 15 G),producing a larger surface contact area as the teeth get larger.

FIG. 16 shows the testing device invention of the type that would have adocking station (33) (illustrated in cross section) which is connectedby an electrical cord (34) to a household electrical outlet and has anon-off switch on the docking station (33) surface. The handle (11) ofthe testing device has contact rings (35) at the base which contactcorresponding point contacts (36) in the docking station (33) thatconnect a circuit to charge the batteries in the handle (11). Contactrings (37) at the base of the handle (11) contact corresponding rings(38) in the docking station (33) to supply current to heat the heatingelement (15) in the heated cushion (1) in the tip for the testing device(2).

FIG. 17 shows the testing device invention resting in the dockingstation (33). The docking station has an on-off switch (39) on thesurface and an electrical cord (34) which connects the docking station(33) to a household electrical outlet.

FIG. 18 shows the electrical circuitry for a version of the testingdevice invention that utilizes a docking station (33). The electricalcord (34) intersects an on-off switch (39) which turns the heatingelement (15) circuitry on and off. A timing circuit (14) wired into theheating element (15) circuit is intended to turn the circuit off after aperiod of inactivity in the event the operator forgets to turn thetesting device off. The heating element transformer (40) is wired tocontact rings (38) that are in the docking station (33) in contact withcontact rings (37) in the heating circuit in the testing deviceinvention when the testing device invention is seated in the dockingstation (33). Contact rings (37) in the heating element (15) circuitprovide electrical current to heat the heating element (15) which iswired in series with a metal thermostat switch (42) to maintain atemperature of around 140 Fahrenheit and a thermal fuse (43) as a safetydevice to prevent the heating element (15) from being overheated priorto testing. An additional degree of safety in using a docking station iswhen the testing device invention is separated from the docking stationno additional increase in temperature in the related to the heatingelement (15) is possible because the current to the heating element (15)is interrupted. The recharging transformer (41) is wired into thecircuitry preceding the on-off switch (39). The contact points (36)wired to the recharging transformer (41) are located in the dockingstation (33). The contact points (36) in the docking station (33) are incontact with contact rings (35) wired to the recharging circuit in thetesting device invention when the testing device invention is seated inthe docking station (33). A lighting circuit including batteries (10), aswitch (9), and a white LED light (4), incorporated into the rechargingcircuit, allows for a viewing light in shaded areas of the mouth.

The foregoing description illustrates and describes embodiments of theinvention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only thepreferred embodiments of the invention, but as mentioned above, it is tobe understood that the invention is capable of use in various othercombinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changesor modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressedherein, commensurate with the above teachings and/or skill or knowledgeof the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are furtherintended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and toenable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such orother embodiments and with the various modifications required by theparticular applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly, thedescription is not intended to limit the invention to the form orapplication disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appendedclaims be construed to include alternative embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for testing a heat sensitivity in teethcomprising: a base; and a testing tip having a cushion, wherein thecushion comprises a heating element; and wherein the cushion isconformable to a contour of a tooth to be tested for a heat sensitivityand is conformable to contours of different types of teeth and whereinthe cushion has a left side and a right side that are mirror images ofeach other that allows testing of all upper and lower teethindividually; and being capable of transferring heat energy from thecushion to the top surface and at least one side surface of a toothtested for heat sensitivity.
 2. The device according to claim 1, whereinsaid heating element is embedded in said cushion
 3. The device accordingto claim 1, being capable of transferring heat energy from the cushionwhereby heat energy is dissipated in the cushion, minimizingtransferring said heat energy.
 4. The device according to claim 1,wherein the cushion is capable of generating heat on an enamel layer,dentin layer, and pulp tissue of the tooth without damaging the enamellayer, dentin layer, and pulp tissue with excessive heat energy.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is capable of spreadingthe heat in a radial fashion for identifying heat sensitivity in thepulp tissue.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cushion isconstructed of rubber material.
 7. The device according to claim 7,wherein rubber between grooves in the cushion is deformable andconformable to contours to the tooth.
 8. The device according to claim1, wherein the tip having the cushion is removable.
 9. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said different types of teeth includeincisors, canines, premolars and molars.
 10. The device according toclaim 1, which further comprises a heat sensor and handle and said heatsensor and said heating element are connected by circuitry in saidhandle to regulate the maximum temperature and length of time of testingwhen activating said cushion.
 11. The device according to claim 1,wherein said cushion further comprises extensions for contacting andtransferring heat to vertical sides of said tooth to prevent injury tothe pulp tissue of the tooth being tested.
 12. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said cushion extends down a vertical side of said toothwith minimal or no contact with tissue and has a depth that limits thecoverage to a single tooth with minimal or no contact with adjacentteeth.
 13. The device according to claim 1, being capable oftransferring heat energy is transferred from the cushion to two sidesurfaces of the tooth.
 14. The device according to claim 1, whichfurther comprises a thermistor.
 15. The device according to claim 1,wherein the cushion is constructed of silicon rubber material.
 16. Amethod for testing a tooth for heat sensitivity comprising: applying adental testing device comprising a testing tip having a cushion to atooth; wherein the cushion comprises a heating element; heating thecushion with said heating element; and transferring heat energy from thecushion to the top surface and at least one side surface of the tooth,wherein the cushion conforms to a contour of the tooth and isconformable to contours of different types of teeth and wherein thecushion has a left side and a right side that are mirror images of eachother.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said heatingelement is embedded in said cushion.
 18. The method according to claim16, which further comprises dissipating heat energy in the cushion,thereby minimizing said heat transfer from the cushion to adjacentteeth.
 19. The method according to claim 16, which further comprisesgenerating heat from the cushion wherein the level of heat on an enamellayer, dentin layer, and pulp tissue of the tooth is limited in ordernot to damage the tooth being tested.
 20. The method according to claim16, which further comprises spreading the heat from the cushion in aradial fashion for identifying heat sensitivity in the pulp tissue. 21.The method according to claim 16, wherein said different types of teethinclude incisors, canines, premolars and molars.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein said device comprises a heat sensor andhandle and which further comprises connecting said heat sensor and saidheating element by circuitry in said handle to regulate the maximumtemperature and length of time of testing when activating said heatingelement.
 23. The method according to claim 16, which further comprisesremoving said cushion from the tip of the handle after said testing. 24.The method according to claim 16, wherein said cushion further comprisesextensions and wherein said method further comprises contacting andtransferring heat to vertical sides of said tooth from said extensions.25. The method according to claim 16, which further comprises extendingsaid cushion down a vertical side of said tooth with minimal or nocontact with tissue and limiting a depth so that the coverage to asingle tooth with minimal or no contact with adjacent teeth.
 26. Themethod according to claim 16, which comprises transferring heat energyfrom the cushion to two side surfaces of the tooth.